Chapter 009: Promotion of Five Levels

The queen puffed up her cheeks in a feigned anger, and Xiao Ai returned to a serious expression. "Then let him be summoned to our side to oversee the entire Jinyiwei."

Speaking of this empress, I am filled with trepidation, "Thank heavens I encountered him; when I recognized him, I almost lost my composure"

After a long time, she slowly shook her head, "He is ultimately a mortal, and the dangers we face are beyond his capacity to bear, so..."

Ah, Brother Gao, I am truly flattered! The dignitary who appeared at the West City Division of the patrol station, known for his serious demeanor and lack of humor, is now laughing like a tavern waitress. "They are all the Emperor's... the personal guards of Her Majesty the Empress. There is no distinction between high and low, quickly get up, quickly get up!

Gao De, the Jin Yi Wei, was helped up by hand, and the chubby man's expression became serious: "Jin Yi Wei Gao De receives the imperial decree!"

The grand scholar was so anxious that he felt like he might grind his teeth to dust. "Your Majesty, the reasoning is indeed sound, but when it comes to action, one must adhere to established protocols and prioritize accordingly! Your Majesty, it should be evident even in broad daylight that we are currently in a time of instability among the populace. We must first stabilize their hearts and distinguish between those who are close and those who are distant."

Dozens of people stood in line under the main building, and Gao De sensed a familiar scent from the car, causing his heartbeat to surge in a tumultuous rhythm

I ... ... '' The empress hesitated, remaining silent for quite a while

On the southern slope of Mount Zu, the Qianming Hall west of the Wuzhong Palace was filled with a cacophony of voices. Countless male voices shouted, "Where is Your Majesty?" and "Why hasn't Your Majesty arrived yet?" Among them, there was a single female voice, low and simmering with a rage about to break through the ice: "When His Majesty arrives is not for you ministers to decide?"

Piling up a large number of documents on the desk, the Empress said: "We must work through the night to first ascertain how much wealth the Ming Dynasty still possesses and how many troubles we face"

Opening the door to see the visitor, Gao De knelt on one knee and cupped his hands, exclaiming: "Sir Qianshi!"

Upon returning, I greeted Gao Miao, instructing her to stay at home obediently. Gao De was embraced by the magistrate Ma as they boarded the ornate steam carriage, adorned with golden edges and shining brilliantly.

That guy is really lucky," Xiao Ai smacked her lips and shook her head, "If it were me, I would definitely fry it first and then sprinkle it.

The Grand Scholar, lowering his voice, said: "There are absolutely no dark elves raised in my household. If this statement is false, may heaven strike me with lightning! I can even use my own head to guarantee this to the other Grand Scholars. I implore Your Majesty to retract the decree and leave some... dignity for the important ministers of the state."

The queen pinched her nose and disdainfully said: "You people are truly fragile, unable to withstand even the slightest pressure"

"Didn’t I say not to say sorry anymore?" the queen reproached, "The demon is quite tricky; I made a mistake myself, wouldn’t it be worse if it were you?"

She took out a booklet and flipped through it rapidly, as if she were reading ten pages at a glance

Gaode had no choice but to kneel down again, this time on both knees. He was not truly angry; on the contrary, he was quite delighted.

The queen rubbed her forehead and said, "I know it is not feasible, but the matter concerning the demon child is so urgent. Are there not a few absolutely loyal individuals who can step forward to share my burdens?"

The grand scholar was rendered speechless, his throat emitting a muffled sound. The other officials hunched their bodies, wishing they could curl up like shrimp.

In my mind, I sifted through the information about the various departments of the Jinyiwei, and when Gao Deshan shouted "Long live!", he also wanted to shout "Long live, Xiaoli!"

The page stopped, and she presented the booklet before the queen: "This department is the most idle, isn't it?"

The newcomer was a middle-aged man dressed in a bright red flying fish robe, with a belly so plump that it rested on his chest like a jade belt, surrounded by a group of at least the rank of chief banner from the Jinyiwei. Gao De recognized him at a glance; it was actually Ma Qianshi, who was in charge of personnel within the Jinyiwei.

The crowd bowed their heads and collectively called out to Lord Baihu, while Gao De stood in front of them in a daze

She has never hesitated to praise the young girl from Fusang who has followed her since childhood: "Xiao Ai is still impressive, she solved it in the blink of an eye"

The office has been moved to the rear hall, and only a sparse group of over ten officials remain, all of whom are heads of powerful departments under the Imperial Guard, the Jinyiwei, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, the Supreme Court, and the Central Capital.

A team of steam cars rumbled away, and a small yellow-haired head peeked out from the gate, its tear-streaked face filled with worry and regret

Indeed, what a coincidence," Xiao Ai squinted and teased the Empress. "The Demon of Sin enjoys such things, but in your Ice Saint form, you haven't reached that level yet, have you? Could it be that you are throwing yourself into someone's arms?"

The officials, who are both cultured and martial, have clearly grown impatient, and someone has already shouted, "Has the Empress encountered trouble as well? Are you, a woman from Fusang, attempting to usurp the throne... Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"

I will draft an imperial edict for you, allowing that fellow to take office early in the morning. Xiao Ai's expression turned somber, "I was originally quite confident in my abilities, believing I could alleviate your worries, but it seems I still fall short. The matters concerning the Yulin Guard and the Jinyiwei are manageable, but those ministers..."

This is the newly appointed Baihu Daren!" Officer Ma shouted in a sharp voice: "The Baihu Daren appointed by Her Majesty the Empress!

Uh...

The Empress looked at the only chancellor who had actively pledged loyalty to her, her brows furrowed in evident dissatisfaction. "What other rules are needed? Do I need to seek others' consent to confer titles? Then who exactly is the Emperor?"

What the hell!

Speaking of this, the queen also became troubled, "Indeed, fighting against demons is much easier. Why can't these fellows respond with enthusiasm like in a game of chess, eagerly awaiting my command whenever I point to one of them?"

I am shocked!

He did not even know what he was thinking until the sky began to brighten, and only then did sleep gradually weigh down his eyelids

"Investigate the families of the royal officials, search for the hidden places of corruption in the capital, and ensure that the dark elf child is found," the Empress spoke with a stern tone, as this matter not only concerns the safety of the empire but also her own position. "There is a deadline of half a month, and it will be under the full authority of Chief Steward Tohsaka. I will grant her the imperial sword, and anyone who does not fulfill their duty will lose their head."

She looked at Xiao Ai and said seriously: "But I will not back down, I will not give up, Xiao Ai, just like when we fought demons on the Holy Mountain, continue to help me."

Before the Ming Dynasty's Jinyiwei was not a marginal role among the three imperial guards, it was responsible for the ceremonial escort of the emperor's royal carriage. When the emperor went on an inspection tour, fierce beasts such as elephants, lions, tigers, qilins, and pixiu were required to clear the way, and within the Jinyiwei, there was an establishment for training these fierce animals.

Your Majesty! The Imperial Guards and the Jinyiwei are the Emperor's personal troops. Personnel appointments and dismissals are naturally under Your Majesty's sacred judgment. However, the selection of key positions in the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and other departments, as well as in the Central Capital, should be determined in consultation with the Cabinet before being presented to Your Majesty for approval; otherwise, it would not be in accordance with the established regulations

"By the way, what about him?" Xiao Ai inquired about the whereabouts of the Empress, "He should be absolutely loyal to you, right?"

With the passage of time, emperors now travel directly by car, train, and even airplane or airship, rendering these beasts of burden obsolete. However, no one knows if the emperor might suddenly have a whimsical idea to hold a retro-style grand ceremony to celebrate with the people, which is why the elephant training facility has never been dismantled

The queen sat on a throne much simpler than the seat of the state, her fingers tapping on the armrest, her gaze somewhat distant. "Are you saying to be close to the noble and distant from the petty?"

The Grand Scholar nodded repeatedly, and the Empress struck the armrest, her tone unequivocal. "It is necessary to distinguish between intimacy and distance; this is precisely the time to see how loyal everyone is to me. Those who are loyal to me, I will favor... Pah! Do I need you to teach me whom to promote? Grand Scholar, let us start with your family."

I think that this way is probably not feasible

Brother

The girl from Fusang pressed her hand against her chest and bowed deeply: "Tohsaka Aoi will always follow you, serve you, and remain unwavering until death."

The queen's mood instantly improved, her eyebrows raised as she spoke rapidly about what Gao De would undoubtedly say if he were here, lamenting his situation. "Of course, he is well aware that being loyal to me means being loyal to the Ming Dynasty. He understands my current predicament and wishes to do something for me. However, he is also self-aware, knowing his own limitations, and prefers to operate in the shadows, engaging in matters that are not suitable for public knowledge"

Xiao Ai nodded while listening, "It's good, it doesn't make your efforts in vain..."

The queen, still dressed in her attire from earlier in the day, emerged from the inner hall. An elderly scholar, clad in a crane-patterned robe and wearing a long feathered hat, immediately knelt down and bowed his head, followed promptly by the other officials.

Are you messing with me? Am I going to have to kneel again?

Gaode is feeling a bit dizzy; counting the two levels of Deputy Baihu and Trial Baihu, it has risen a total of five levels!

The lights in the rear hall of the Qianming Hall remained lit throughout the night, and in the small courtyard to the north of the western city, Gao De also found it difficult to sleep.

What is wrong with investigating the household? In Zhongjing, there still lurks the offspring of the evil demon, and only you nobles can hide it. If we do not investigate, are we to wait for you to collude with her, corrupt the great Ming dynasty, and even destroy the continent of Zhendan?

"How can you still say that! Although I don't feel like I've suffered a loss, it's not something to be happy about!" The queen tapped the table firmly, "If you hadn't sent me several urgent messages saying that something happened at the Heavenly Temple, how would I have chosen the most embarrassing method? Of course, if it weren't for him, there wouldn't have been such an option."

Do not be fooled by the fact that Xiaoli is a commoner; her efficiency is comparable to that of whispering sweet nothings to the queen! Moreover, it is the queen herself who has issued the decree, no wonder that the magistrate personally came over, what a significant display of prestige!

Fortunately, I was not blinded by that small amount of gold notes, and I have immense respect for myself for sacrificing 20,000 gold dragons to obtain this position; this transaction could not be more profitable

The man with a scruffy beard has his mouth open, and one can easily count the few cavities in his teeth

Xiao Ai gradually smiled, "Should we treat him as a souvenir and keep him well preserved?"

In the next moment, the grand scholar rolled his eyes and collapsed to the ground, provoking a series of gasps.

Gao De's neck started to hurt again, precisely because of that beard that nearly broke his neck!

The convoy entered a large courtyard surrounded by high walls and came to a stop in front of a fortress-like three-story stone building

The old minister, shaking his white beard, spoke with deep emotion and sincerity. "Let us not discuss this matter for now; regarding the investigation of the residences of the royal family and officials, I implore Your Majesty to retract the decree! Once this order is issued, chaos will surely ensue in the capital!"

Gao Miao sniffled and muttered, "You must come back early"

Just as I closed my eyes, the door was knocked on with a loud thud

Promoted to the rank of a hundred households in the Imperial Guard

In summary, just hide it," Xiao Ai nodded and said, "If it were me, I would do the same. I will see what leisurely offices in the Jinyiwei can provide for his retirement.

After getting off the carriage, I followed the magistrate and walked towards the group of Jinyiwei kneeling on the ground

The queen helped her up and said with relief, "I am very glad that at least I still have you"

Gao De was simultaneously dealing with the overly enthusiastic Officer Ma while calculating his salary and even his retirement pension. As the convoy turned onto the dirt and gravel road a couple of miles away from the zoo, his anxiety began to resurface. Whenever Officer Ma frequently mentioned phrases like "young and promising" and "heavy responsibilities on my shoulders," Gao De's heart raced in sync with his unease.

This is truly a leisurely retirement department, and it has quite a presence. "Elephant Training Institute" sounds a bit off; how about changing it to "Ming Dynasty Royal Zoo" instead

She became frustrated and guilty again, "If only I had chased after that black-skinned bean sprout at the entrance of the ancestral mountain back then, it wouldn't have led to you..."

Wait for the elephant training center

As the guards helped the grand scholar to his feet, the hall was filled with continuous sounds of thuds, and more than half of the people had fallen to the ground. Among them were not only those who had lost consciousness, but also those who were convulsing and even vomiting

The officials, pale and devoid of color, responded in a voice as faint as a thread, retreating with a staggering gait like a group of zombies

When the leader raised his head, the two people's gazes met

Zhu Moli must live for the Ming Dynasty in this lifetime, the Empress sighed, exhaling a deep weariness, "Li should be free, he belongs to Li"

The convoy blared its horns as it sped along, paying no heed to the traffic lights, and within half an hour, it had exited the city, heading straight for the zoo in the southern part of town. Indeed, there was a zoo open to the general public, which Gao De had visited a few times with his father during his childhood

I never expected that the beast park was actually a property of the Jinyiwei

In the rear hall, only the sovereign and his minister remained, and after a long silence, Xiao Ai hesitantly spoke. "No matter how complex or difficult the situation is, I can arrange everything properly, provided that the personnel are as reliable as Xing Tian, or at least as dependable as a substitute for Xing Tian. As for these people... I am completely in the dark and have no idea whether they can be of any use."

"Is your dignity more important than the vast territory of the Ming Dynasty, the safety of the Middle Kingdom, and the lives and deaths of billions of subjects?" The Empress was somewhat angered; she did not understand why the old man was so resistant. "If you are loyal to the Ming Dynasty, shouldn't you voluntarily accept the investigation to prove your innocence?"

"How wonderful, I did not expect there to be such a department within the Jinyiwei, completely unrelated to dangerous matters," the Empress expressed her satisfaction, "but I do not need him to do anything; let him live there in peace and enjoy his old age."

Still in charge of the actual position of the elephant training office, a hundred households